Peters Township council narrowly passes resolution allowing Sunday morning youth sports
Peters Township will permit youth sports organizers to schedule games and practices for Sunday mornings after a resolution was narrowly approved by council.
Council voted 4-3 on the resolution, which still restricts township-sponsored events at the municipality’s facilities.
Voting in favor were Allison Shanafelt, Matt Rost, Tom Pirosko and Frank Kosir Jr. Opposed were Gary Stiegel Jr., Robert Lewis and Frank Arcuri.
The resolution will allow youth sports leagues to hold activities on township fields before noon Sunday.
Prior to Monday’s vote, township Manager Paul Lauer read a letter opposing the change from former councilwoman Monica Merrell.
Merrell wrote that it could be disruptive to families who attend church or otherwise spend time together on Sunday mornings, and that is a window of time for other types of recreation at Peterswood Park.
“That window of time on Sunday morning without all the sports traffic is the best opportunity for dog walkers, bicycle riders, runners, recreational walkers to use Peterswood Park. Because once the sports activities start, it is a nightmare to navigate the area,” Merrell wrote to council. “People who do not have kids in sports should have time for access to the park as well.”
Though Kosir voted for the resolution, he did express some reservations.
He pointed out that for parents with kids enrolled in youth sports, they are already travelling to other communities for games on Sunday mornings. So amending the policy will allow for home games.
However, Kosir said officials should monitor the community’s response.
“I’m probably going to vote in favor of this, but I do want to say … I think in a year’s time we need to revisit this and see whether or not we’re receiving complaints about the noise, the traffic,” Kosir said. “Because Sunday morning is still supposed to be somewhat a time of peace. I mean, obviously, Sunday is not a day of rest anymore like it was when we were kids, unfortunately. Still, Sunday mornings should be a time of peace, if nothing else.